First Come, First Served for European Grants

In Northern Ireland, hundreds of farmers have queued for two days in the hope of receiving European Union farming subsidies, after their Department of Agriculture and Rural Development decided that this was the fairest way to distribute European Union grants.

As widely reported, the grants, which are aimed at modernising farming practices and equipment, were being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Since the funding package is worth just £6 million and is capped at £5,000 per application, only 1,200 farmers will benefit.